If you don’t know who Jerry West is then you aren’t a real basketball fan. But, please don’t stop reading now if you don’t know him because this blog is about a talented basketball player and a courageous man who spent a lifetime fighting depression. And now he is sharing it his new autobiography, “West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life” (Little, Brown & Company).
This is by no means the first time that a major sports figure has shared his story and given us more than the joy and glory. But hopefully this one will enable us all to see that the pain of depression doesn’t have to be hidden. For far too long, we have shunted aside “depression” due to our fear of facing it. It’s not like any other disease (and it is a disease, not a character flaw) in which employers and employees rally around the victim and help them deal with their pain. Its not like cancer or heart disease where people can openly discuss it at work and those suffers feel free to go for help. No, it is a disease that is surrounded by shame. Those who suffer from depression are ashamed to discuss it and fellow workers are afraid of it which leads depression to be a SILENT killer. That’s right. And, if left untreated, it can lead to catastrophic results for the sufferer, the family, the organization and the community.
According to the CDC,
- over 8 million people seriously considered suicide
- 1,100,000 of those attempted suicide
- 678,000 who attempted suicide required medical attention
- 500,000 of those were hospitalized
- 33,700 actually committed suicide
Needless to say, those are staggering numbers. And I am not even talking about the costs to industry, the health care system, and our overall community.
And the worst of it all is that, with help, it is very treatable.
So, what can we do? Well, the first step is to get it out of the closet. Let’s begin to talk about it and educate people so that we can eliminate the shame. That would enable the suffers to feel more comfortable asking for and getting help. It would also help those of us who work with folks who are suffering, to be supportive and know when and how to get these people help.
There are resources available. Begin with your EAP. They can help you to design educational programs in the workplace so that fellow employees can spot issues and know what to do. Here are some others:
- Working Minds: What Workplaces Can Do About to Prevent Suicide
- Contact Screening for Mental Health to learn about online screenings
Most importantly, let’s all become a part of the solution and help to lift the veil of shame.
Oh yes, one more thing. Thanks Jerry. I remember watching you and marveling at your on the court skills but most importantly, I always admired your drive to win. But this could be your biggest victory.
Tags: depression, EAP, employee assistance, Employee Assistance Program, Lakers, NBA
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